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If you are looking for places to stay in Morocco that feel different from a standard hotel, this guide is a good place to start. The addresses below are independent: surf camps on the Atlantic coast, guesthouses and ecolodges, a riad in the mountains, and luxury camps in the desert. None of them is a chain, and none of them feels like one.
That is the whole point. A big hotel is built to be the same wherever it stands. These stays are built around where they are, and around the people who run them. We have organized private tours across Morocco since 2011, and the question we hear most often is not about the itinerary. It is simpler: where will we actually sleep, and will it feel like Morocco?
Why These Stays Are Not Ordinary Hotels
Most hotels sell you a room. The places in this guide sell you a way of spending your days. Four things set them apart.
Scale. Most have a handful of rooms or tents, not hundreds. You are more likely to be welcomed by the person who runs the place than by a front desk, and more likely to eat at a shared table than at a buffet. Small also means personal: owners notice when you are tired, when the wind has dropped, or when the best light is about to arrive.
Location. Hotels cluster where the airport and the restaurants are. These stays sit where the reason for the trip is: beside a surf break, at the edge of a gorge, inside a palm grove, between the dunes. Your day starts at the door, not after a transfer.
Program. In a standard hotel, activities are an add-on booked at the desk. Here they are often the core. Several of the surf camps below describe packages that bundle lessons, boards, wetsuits, meals and airport transfers. Desert camps build the evening around the dunes, the stars and a meal cooked on site. Guesthouses and ecolodges arrange walks, climbing and excursions with local guides.
Style. No two are alike. One is a surf hostel with a yoga studio on the roof, another is a tented camp with en suite bathrooms, another is a restored riad. Each reflects the people who run it, which is also why a star rating rarely tells you what a night there will feel like.
What You Give Up, and What You Gain
It is only fair to say what you trade. Smaller places usually mean simpler rooms, fewer services and less choice at breakfast. Reception may not be staffed around the clock. Some stays are remote, with sand, wind or an unpaved track between you and the road. And because every place is run differently, standards are not uniform.
What you gain is atmosphere, local contact and time spent doing the thing you came for. If remote stays worry you, a private driver changes the picture: nobody has to navigate a dirt track or wait for a shuttle, and the car can take you straight to the door. Our guide to planning a tailor-made trip to Morocco explains how that works in practice, and mixing a few of these stays with a classic riad or hotel often gives the best balance.
Four Kinds of Stay You Will Find Here
Surf camps and surf houses. Concentrated around Taghazout, Tamraght, Aourir, Sidi Kaouki and Essaouira, with another further south in Sidi Ifni. Most take beginners as well as experienced surfers, and many add yoga, day trips and local food.
Desert and luxury camps. From the Agafay desert near Marrakech to the dunes of Erg Lihoudi near M'Hamid El Ghizlane, plus a lakeside tented camp at Lalla Takerkoust. If you are weighing these against the Sahara camps around Merzouga, our luxury Morocco tours show how we combine them in a private itinerary.
Ecolodges, riads and guesthouses. A riad in the Middle Atlas town of Midelt, an ecolodge in Ouarzazate, a surf guesthouse in Essaouira and an eco-conscious guesthouse by the Todra Gorge. They suit travelers who want a base with character rather than a program.
Local operators. Not everything here is a bed. A few listings are schools and guides, such as a wingfoil school in Essaouira, a Marrakech operator for Agafay excursions and a guide for the Todra Gorge. They are worth knowing even if you sleep elsewhere.
How to Choose the Right One
Start with the season. Surf conditions, desert temperatures and mountain weather all change through the year, and our guide to the best time to visit Morocco goes month by month. Then ask what you actually want from the stay. A few questions help:
- Do I want a program (lessons, treks, yoga) or just a quiet bed?
- How far is it from the nearest town, and how will I get there?
- What is included: meals, equipment, transfers?
- Is it shared, dorm style, or can I have a private room or tent?
- How many guests does it host at once?
- What do recent reviews say, and what does the owner say when I write?
A good host answers each question specifically. A vague "everything is included" is the signal to ask again.
About This Guide
These are independent places we have been in contact with, listed as options rather than endorsements. We have not inspected every property, and details such as rooms, prices, activities and opening dates change. Always check the place's own website and recent reviews, and write to the owner with your questions before you book.
The guide is organized by city in alphabetical order, and the places inside each city are listed alphabetically too. Where a place has a website, the link goes straight to it.
The Stays, City by City
Use the list at the top of the page to jump to a city, or read on from Agadir to Tinghir.
Agadir
Anza sits just north of Agadir, on the coast road toward Taghazout, and is a simple base for surfers who want to be near the water without staying in the big resort area.
Agadir is also the usual arrival point for the surf coast. It has an airport and a bus station, and several camps in this guide arrange transfers from both.
Dinosaur Anza Surf House
Dinosaur Anza Surf House is a hostel in Anza, the beach district just north of Agadir on the coast road toward Taghazout. It sits close to Anza beach and has a rooftop terrace, which gives it the relaxed, shared feel of a surf hostel rather than a hotel.
The location is the main draw. Anza is quieter than central Agadir, the beach is close, and the surf villages of the Taghazout area are a short drive up the coast. It suits solo travelers and small groups who want a simple, sociable base.
Good to know: room types, dorm options and current availability are shown on the hostel's booking pages. If you want surf lessons, confirm them directly with the team before you plan your dates.
Aourir
Aourir is a village on the Atlantic coast, close to Taghazout. It is a short drive from Taghazout, with several surf stays.
Day trips from here often include Paradise Valley and a surf safari to Imsouane, both mentioned by the camps listed below.
KOSA Surf
KOSA Surf is a surf camp in Aourir, a few minutes from Taghazout, with a bed and breakfast called The House. The setting looks over the Atlantic on one side and the mountains on the other.
Surf packages are organized by level: beginner, intermediate and guiding for experienced surfers. Private lessons are available, and guests describe the team arranging airport pickups.
The days do not end at the beach. Guests get fresh bread and coffee at breakfast, shared dinners and mint tea on the rooftop in the evening. Activities include sandboarding in the dunes at sunset, tagine cooking, hammam visits, skating at a local bowl, a day trip to Paradise Valley, and a surf safari to Imsouane.
Good to know: the camp organizes weekly beach cleanups and works to cut plastic use and support local businesses.
Kymata Surf Morocco
Kymata Surf Morocco is a surf stay in Aourir, a short drive from Taghazout. It offers guest rooms and a breakfast built around local cuisine, and it works well as a quieter base for the Taghazout coast.
Details about packages and lessons are best checked directly on the camp's website or by writing to the team.
Visit the Kymata Surf Morocco website
Essaouira
Essaouira is the windy Atlantic port town and one of Morocco's main bases for surf, kitesurf and wingfoil. The medina and the beach are close together, so you can combine lessons with walks in the old town.
Local kite schools describe the north wind as most consistent from late March to late November. Essaouira's own beach suits beginners and intermediates, while stronger surfers usually head to Sidi Kaouki.
Comesurfing
Comesurfing is a surf and wingfoil school in Essaouira with more than 20 years of experience. It offers surf classes, wingfoil classes, guidance and retreats, and it runs lessons in three places: Essaouira itself, Sidi Kaouki and Imsouane. That range lets you match the spot to your level.
The school was founded by Charaf Eddine, who was born and raised in Essaouira and learned to surf as a child. He also created The Rooftop Essaouira, a guesthouse in town, and the school's surf and yoga camps are built around stays there.
Good to know: the camp packages on its listing combine accommodation, daily breakfast and lunch, surf lessons and a pickup from Essaouira airport. Confirm exactly what is included when you write to the team.
Kite Paradise Essaouira
Essaouira Kite Paradise is a kitesurf and surf school on Rue Lalla Hasna in Essaouira, run by Marie and Taher. It is certified by the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO), and its team answers inquiries within 24 hours.
Kitesurf lessons run from initiation to advanced level. The school also offers multi-day courses, packages and custom stays with accommodation in Essaouira. Guests mention semi-private lessons and a beginner course of five three-hour sessions, with an assistant present.
Surf lessons run daily for all levels. Reviews describe the equipment as recent and in very good condition, and the website is available in French and English.
Visit the Kite Paradise Essaouira website
Olasurf Essaouira
Olasurf Essaouira is a local team offering kitesurf, surf and wingfoil lessons in Essaouira. Essaouira's bay is known for steady wind, which is why the town has become one of Morocco's main bases for kitesurf and wingfoil, and why a school here can cover all three sports.
Contact the team directly to check lesson formats, levels and availability.
Wave Finder Morocco
Wave Finder Morocco is a surf school in Essaouira with local instructors who are ISA-trained or certified. It offers private lessons for adults and for kids, group lessons and a longer coaching format focused on drills and technique. Sessions include a beach warm-up, theory, in-water guidance and optional video analysis.
The school goes where the waves are. It uses the main beach of Essaouira for beginners and intermediates, Sidi Kaouki for intermediate and advanced surfers, and Imsouane, which suits all levels, plus secret spots chosen according to the day's conditions. Guided day trips and multi-day surf retreats combine surfing with yoga, culture and coastal activities.
Good to know: boards, wetsuits, leashes and transport to the surf spot are included in bookings. The school describes October to March as the prime surf season, with April to September better suited to beginners and intermediates. The site does not list accommodation, so check retreat dates for stay options.
Visit the Wave Finder Morocco website
YouSurf House
YouSurf House is a guesthouse in a peaceful area of Essaouira, a two-minute walk from the beach. The rooms are spacious and themed, aimed at surfers and at visitors who simply want to relax by the ocean.
The house offers modern facilities, free Wi-Fi and a traditional Moroccan breakfast. Beyond the rooms, it also arranges water sports, including surf lessons, kitesurfing and equipment rental, so you can book your bed and your sessions in one place.
Visit the YouSurf House website
Lalla Takerkoust
Lalla Takerkoust is a lake village about 45 minutes from Marrakech, in the foothills of the Atlas. It offers mountain views and a lot more space than the city.
It makes a good first or last night: you can land in Marrakech and be surrounded by hills and water within the hour.
Kalyptus Luxury Camp
Kalyptus Luxury Camp is a hilltop tented camp in the Lalla Takerkoust area, about 45 minutes from Marrakech. It stands near a eucalyptus forest, with views over the lake and the mountains, and it opened in 2020. It describes itself as the first establishment of its kind in the area.
Guests sleep in Amazigh-style tents in four categories, from the Deluxe Tent to the Royal Tent. Each has a king-size bed and room for two guests, with premium bedding.
The on-site restaurant builds its menu around fresh, local products, and the camp offers activities from adventure outings to quiet nature walks. It also plans and customizes events.
Good to know: each tent sleeps two, so families and groups will need several tents. The short drive from Marrakech makes it an easy first or last night of a trip.
Visit the Kalyptus Luxury Camp website
Marrakech
Two options for travelers who want the desert feeling without the long drive south. The Agafay desert is about 50 minutes from Marrakech, and it gives you tents, pools and open skies for a night or two.
Agafay is a stony plateau rather than a dune landscape. If you want tall dunes, head south to the Sahara around Merzouga or M'Hamid, but Agafay is the easiest way to add a desert night to a short Marrakech stay.
Agafay Luxury Camp
Agafay Luxury Camp stands in the Agafay desert, about 50 minutes from Marrakech. Agafay is a rocky, stony plateau rather than a landscape of tall dunes, but it gives a real sense of desert space and silence without the long drive south.
The camp offers tents and villas, with swimming pools. It works well for travelers who want one night of desert comfort at the start or end of a Marrakech stay.
Visit the Agafay Luxury Camp website
Marrakech Local Experiences
Marrakech Local Experiences is a local operator that organizes excursions to the Agafay desert and the Atlas Mountains, including quad biking, hiking and cultural experiences. It is based in Marrakech, so pickups and half-day outings are easy to arrange.
Good to know: this is an activity operator rather than an accommodation. Ask about group size, pickup points and what is included before you book.
M'Hamid El Ghizlane
M'Hamid El Ghizlane is a desert gateway at the far southern end of the Draa valley. The dunes of Erg Lihoudi lie nearby, away from the busier Sahara routes.
It is a long drive from Marrakech or Ouarzazate, so a private driver and an overnight stop on the way make the trip more comfortable.
Arawan Luxury Desert Camp
Arawan Luxury Desert Camp stands in the dunes of Erg Lihoudi, near M'Hamid El Ghizlane, far from the crowded tourist routes of Merzouga. The setting is quiet, with unspoiled dunes all around.
Guests stay in private tents, each with an en suite bathroom. The camp has a restaurant, a lounge and a firepit area, and serves locally sourced dinner and breakfast with traditional Moroccan dishes.
Activities include desert safaris and treks, camel trekking, sandboarding, quad biking, stargazing with a camp telescope, cooking classes with a souk visit, and sunrise yoga. In the evening, the fireside brings Amazigh music and storytelling.
Good to know: the camp is run by a local Amazigh host, Salem, and the team of Morocco Desert Destination. Its guides come from families who have lived in the region for generations, and the camp promotes responsible tourism. M'Hamid is a long drive from Marrakech or Ouarzazate, so ask about transfers when you plan.
Visit the Arawan Luxury Desert Camp website
Midelt
Midelt is a mountain town on the road between Fes and the Sahara. It sits between the Middle and High Atlas, with cold winters and cool evenings even in spring.
It is a useful place to break a long drive, and the riad below makes the stop part of the trip rather than a stopover.
Riad Villa Midelt
Riad Villa Midelt is a guesthouse in the oases and gardens of Midelt, on Place Verte. It has ten rooms, all air-conditioned with private bathrooms, and some have a fireplace, which is welcome on cold mountain nights.
Guests can use an indoor pool, free Wi-Fi throughout and free private parking. The restaurant serves traditional Moroccan cuisine, and reception is open every day from 7 am to midnight.
Good to know: Midelt is about 180 km from Fes, which makes the riad a natural break on the road between the imperial cities and the Sahara around Merzouga.
Visit the Riad Villa Midelt website
Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate is the gateway to the south, known for its kasbahs and film studios. Aït Benhaddou is a short drive from the town.
It makes a natural stop between Marrakech and the Draa and Dades valleys. The ecolodge below sits in the rural commune of Tarmigte, at the edge of the palm gardens.
Ecolodge La Palmeraie Ouarzazate
Ecolodge La Palmeraie sits at Douar Tajda, in the rural commune of Tarmigte near Ouarzazate, at the edge of the palm gardens. The site is called Boudar, a Berber word the lodge translates as "meeting", after a freshwater well that has long been a local gathering point.
The lodge has 15 accommodations in five styles, listed as Berber tents, classic rooms, African bungalows and lodges, Palm Houses and an Amazigh House. They are built with local natural materials: earth, straw and palm wood.
It is run by Adel and Camille, and it has a restaurant. The team organizes half-day and full-day excursions, desert trips, and private activities on request such as henna, donkey rides and cooking classes. Advance booking is required for these.
Good to know: the ecolodge also hosts weddings, receptions, seminars and school groups, so mention the kind of stay you want when you write.
Visit the Ecolodge La Palmeraie Ouarzazate website
Sidi Ifni
Sidi Ifni is a quiet coastal town on the far southern Atlantic coast, and a former Spanish enclave. It is far from the main tourist routes.
The surf season runs from September to May according to the camp operator below.
Camino Surfcamp Morocco
Camino Surfcamp Morocco is the Moroccan camp of Caminosurf, a surf-camp operator that also runs camps in Europe. The Moroccan camp is based in Sidi Ifni, in the far south of the Atlantic coast, and operates from September to May.
The operator describes its camps as offering many types of accommodation, quality surf lessons and excellent food. Its site mentions a left-hand wave at the Moroccan location.
Good to know: the operator's site gives few details about the Moroccan camp, so check the current rooms, lessons and dates directly.
Visit the Camino Surfcamp Morocco website
Sidi Kaouki
Sidi Kaouki is a surf village about 25 km from Essaouira, with long beaches and steady wind. The waves suit intermediate and advanced surfers, and the village is small enough to feel like a retreat.
Both camps below are based here, and they take beginners too. Kitesurf and horseback rides on the beach are popular alternatives to surfing.
MogaSurf
MogaSurf is a surf and kitesurf school at Sidi Kaouki, near Essaouira, at 1 DR Ait Yassine. It has been running since 2012 and holds IKO and FRMS certifications.
Surf lessons are given in small groups and focus on reading the ocean and understanding waves, at all levels. Kitesurf lessons cover kite control through to first runs, with safety checks at every stage. A day surf trip around Essaouira includes equipment and lunch.
The camp is an all-inclusive stay in a villa with a pool, a garden, terraces and shared spaces, for up to ten riders. It covers lessons, accommodation, meals and transfers, with three fresh meals a day built around local Moroccan dishes.
Momo Surf Camp
Momo Surf Camp is based in the center of Sidi Kaouki, a surf village just south of Essaouira. Momo grew up in the village and works as a surf teacher, offering personalized coaching from complete beginner to advanced level, in private or small-group lessons.
The camp rents boards and wetsuits, runs surf trips to other spots along the coast, and offers camp packages of three, five or seven days. A surf and yoga camp uses yoga for recovery and performance, and kitesurf lessons, trips and camps are also available.
Around the lessons, there is plenty to do on land: sandboarding on dunes facing the Atlantic, horseback rides along the beach, quad biking through the dunes and coastal tracks, camel rides and sunset picnics in the sand.
Visit the Momo Surf Camp website
Skoura
Skoura is a palm grove oasis on the road east of Ouarzazate, toward the Dades valley. The grove is dotted with kasbahs, including Kasbah Amridil.
It rewards slow travel: walking or cycling between the palms is the main activity, and the pace is very different from the cities.
Camping Skoura Amridil
Skoura is a palm grove oasis east of Ouarzazate, and Camping Skoura Amridil is linked to the local agency Skoura 360. The agency was created in January 2018 by Soufiane Fawz, who has 13 years of guesthouse experience in Skoura.
Skoura 360 organizes excursions around the oasis: walks and ecotours in the palm grove, a visit to Kasbah Amridil, trekking and sunset views at the Sidi Flah gorges, mountain biking, cooking classes, trips to the dunes near Skoura and treks in the High Atlas.
Good to know: the agency's website does not describe the camping itself, so ask the team about pitches, tents and facilities. It also arranges hotels, guesthouses, kasbahs, apartments and lodges in Skoura if you prefer a roof.
Taghazout
Taghazout is the surf village at the center of the coast north of Agadir. With its cafes, rooftops and beaches, it is one of the best-known bases for surf stays in Morocco.
The two camps below are in Taghazout and Taghazout Bay, a few minutes' drive apart.
ChillOut Surf Camp
ChillOut Surf Camp is a surf hostel in Taghazout Bay, a few minutes' drive from the center of Taghazout. It has a swimming pool and a panoramic terrace, and guests describe watching the sunset from the rooftop.
Lessons last two hours a day and are taught by ISA-certified instructors, for beginners, intermediates and advanced surfers, with six students per instructor. One-hour yoga sessions for surfers take place at sunrise or sunset on the terrace.
Good to know: most packages include full board, wetsuit and surfboard rental, and an airport or bus station transfer. You can follow a ready-made package or build your own stay, choosing the room, meals, lessons and trips one by one.
Visit the ChillOut Surf Camp website
La Cabane Surf Trip
La Cabane Surf Trip has taught surfing in Taghazout since 2018, from Ait Ahmed. The head coach is Mounir, the owner, and the sessions are guided, including private lessons, in small group experiences.
Beyond the surf school, the team runs a lodge with a pool in the countryside near Taghazout, where mornings are slow and evenings are for sunsets and Moroccan food. They also guide local-led excursions to Paradise Valley, to the surf at Imsouane and to a mini desert at sunset.
Good to know: the page cites more than 100 five-star Google reviews.
Visit the La Cabane Surf Trip website
Tamraght
Tamraght is a village a few minutes from Taghazout, with a relaxed, local feel. Several surf houses are based here.
It is a good choice if you want surf and yoga without the busier atmosphere of Taghazout.
Ayusa Surfcamp & Guesthouse
Ayusa Surfcamp & Guesthouse is in the center of Tamraght, about ten minutes from Taghazout. The guesthouse has boutique rooms and dorms, a rooftop terrace and a homemade breakfast, and meals are included in the surf packages.
Surf coaching is led by instructor Ayoub, in private or group lessons for all levels from complete beginners to experienced surfers. Yoga classes run at the camp, online or one to one, in styles from gentle to more dynamic.
The camp also offers cooking classes, trips to the sand dunes with optional sandboarding, visits to Paradise Valley, a tour of the Agadir medina and souk, an art workshop and skate lessons.
Visit the Ayusa Surfcamp & Guesthouse website
Dar Surfana Surf Camp & Yoga
Dar Surfana Surf Camp & Yoga is based at the DarSurfana Surf Villa in Tamraght. Guests choose private or shared rooms, with bed linen and towels provided, and share a terrace, a pool, a lounge and a rooftop. Wi-Fi is free throughout the house.
Lessons are given daily for all levels by certified coaches, and a separate guiding package suits experienced surfers. Ocean-view yoga and stretching sessions run at sunrise or sunset.
Good to know: packages are full board, with homemade Moroccan meals and traditional mint tea. They include surfboard and wetsuit, and round-trip transfers between Agadir airport or bus station, the house and the surf spots.
Visit the Dar Surfana Surf Camp & Yoga website
He'e Nalu Surf Camp
He'e Nalu Surf Camp is a boutique surf camp in Tamraght, near Taghazout, and has been operating since 2008. It works with small groups and offers coaching by professional instructors, surf guiding and surf stays.
The camp also advertises local cultural experiences alongside the surfing, so a stay is more than lessons and waves. Its website gives few details about rooms and packages, so ask the team for current dates and what is included.
Visit the He'e Nalu Surf Camp website
Tinghir
Tinghir is an oasis town near the Todra Gorge, a favorite for climbers and hikers. The palm grove is a pleasant place to walk, and the gorge begins a short drive from town.
It sits on the road between the Dades valley and the dunes of Merzouga, so it is a natural stop on a southern circuit.
A Secret Garden
A Secret Garden is an eco-conscious guesthouse in Tizgui, within a minute's walk of the Todra Gorge. Rooms have private balconies, hot water comes from solar panels, and the house is set among gardens by the river.
The gorge is one of Morocco's best-known climbing areas, with nearly 500 routes from 4a to 8b. The guesthouse is linked to the climbing company Aventures Verticales Maroc, so climbers and hikers will find advice on routes and guiding close by.
Good to know: listings describe a daily breakfast, home-cooked food and a rooftop terrace with views. You do not need to climb to enjoy it: the gorge and the oasis are good for easy walks too.
Explore Todra
Explore Todra is a local operator for the Todra Gorge area, near Tinghir. The gorge cuts through the High Atlas between towering limestone cliffs, and it is a destination for hikers, climbers and travelers breaking the long road toward the Sahara.
A local guide helps you choose the right route for your pace, and the best hours of the day for walking in the heat.
Good to know: this is a guide and tour operator rather than an accommodation. Ask about the length of walks, group size and pickup points when you contact them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are these stays different from a standard hotel in Morocco?
They are smaller, independent and built around their location and activities. Instead of a large lobby and a buffet, you get a handful of rooms or tents, a host who knows the area, and often lessons, treks or excursions on the doorstep. The trade-off is simpler facilities and less uniform standards.
Are the surf camps only for experienced surfers?
No. Most of the camps listed here take complete beginners as well as experienced surfers, and several offer private or small-group lessons with boards and wetsuits. Check each camp's website for the level it targets and the group size.
Do I need to book these stays far in advance?
Small places have few beds, so popular dates can fill up, especially in the main surf and desert seasons. Contact the owner as early as you can, and ask what is included before you confirm.
Which of these stays are easy to combine in one trip?
The Taghazout area (Aourir, Taghazout and Tamraght) is compact, and Sidi Kaouki is about 25 km from Essaouira. Marrakech works well with the Agafay desert, about 50 minutes away, and with Lalla Takerkoust, about 45 minutes away. Ouarzazate, Skoura and the Todra Gorge sit along the same route toward the south.
Can I add these stays to a private tour of Morocco?
Yes, you can tell us which places appeal to you and we will look at how they fit into the route, the season and the drive times. A private vehicle with a driver also solves the practical side of reaching remote camps.
Written by
Said, Senior Guide and co-founder of Morocco Tours. A former mountain guide, Said has been a guide certified by Morocco's national tourist office since 2009.
Tell us your dates, the kind of stay you have in mind and how much driving you are happy with, and we will help you shape the route around it.
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